Box Score
HOUSTON, Texas – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (6-14, 1-5 Southland) gave up a five-run eighth in a 6-1 loss to the Houston Baptist Huskies (11-9, 3-3) in the series finale at Husky Field on Saturday.
The Huskies broke open a tie game by scoring five runs in the eighth on just one hit. Houston Baptist loaded the bases with one out, and Head Coach
Ron Maestri went to
Hunter Medine out of the pen. The Huskies scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball. The Huskies' only hit of the inning came on an infield single by Josh Martinez that pushed the lead to 3-1. Houston Baptist would add another run on an RBI ground-out, and posted the final two on an error.
New Orleans struck first in the fourth inning to get to an early 1-0 lead.
Hezekiah Randolph was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, and
Jonathan Coco singled to put the first two Privateers aboard in the frame. After the bases were loaded on an error,
Jonathan Santana drove the first run home on an RBI sacrifice fly.
Privateers starter
Nick Halliday had to face a runner on third with two outs in three consecutive innings. Halliday got out of all three early jams with no runs allowed after inducing a ground out to end the second and third innings, and a strikeout to cap off the fourth on the mound.
The Privateers got some strong early defense to help the cause.
Reese Kanter made a diving catch in left field to end the first inning. In the third,
Jonathan Coco picked out a throw from short while keeping his foot on the bag to record the final out of that frame.
Houston Baptist rallied to tie it up in the seventh. After Halliday allowed two runners on, he was lifted with one out for
Seth Laigast. The Huskies evened the score as Thomas Clay delivered an RBI single. Laigast recovered to strike out the next two batters and end the frame.
New Orleans will start a six-game home stand against Alcorn State on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.
